Multi-Purpose Organizer and Transporting Device

ABSTRACT

An organizer having a sheet of material divided into at least two rows and at least two columns. Each row and each column has an enclosed space sized to receive an object. Objects can be stored in the enclosed spaces and an object can be positioned on the front portion of the sheet. An object retainer having expandable and adjustable bands are attached to the sheet to secure the object to the sheet of material. The material is folded in a manner such that hanging members act as handles and transport the object.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to an organizer that supports and organizes objects such as pots and lids. In particular, the organizer can be folded to transport objects.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Today's women spend an average of 1,092 hours a year in the kitchen, along with everyone from husbands to friends, teenagers and dinner guests. This room puts up with a lot of traffic, so organization is essential. Pots and pans come in various shapes and sizes and take up considerable storage space. Their lids or tops take up additional space. Due to limited storage space in cabinets or a pantry, lids are stored separate from the pots they are intended to cover. When the lids are separated from pots there is a sense of disorganization and a significant amount of time is wasted searching for the lid that fits the correct pot. Also, a significant amount of time is wasted looking for storage areas for the pots and lids.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention introduces a portable multi-purpose organizer with pockets sized to hold objects such as lids or pots, for example.

An aspect of an embodiment of the invention provides bands that can stretch across the device to aid in holding an object in position when being transported.

A further aspect of an embodiment of the invention provides handles that can be brought towards each other to transport the object.

A further aspect of an embodiment of the invention provides the organizer can be positioned on a user so that the organizer can be worn.

Additional aspects, objectives, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of the organizer in an open position.

FIG. 2 is a back view of the organizer in an open position.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the organizer folded along the seams.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the organizer folded along the seams and illustrating the top edge and bottom edges folded.

FIG. 5 illustrates the object retainer in an opening on the front of the organizer.

FIG. 6 illustrates an object retained by the object retainer on the front of the organizer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a front view of the organizer 100 in an open position. The organizer is a sheet 110 of material divided into at least two rows 111, 112 and at least two columns 114, 115. A third row 113 and third column 116 may be provided. Additional rows and columns may be added to hold more objects by increasing the length 120 and the height 121 of the sheet 110. Additional columns increase the length of the sheet 110 and additional rows increase the height of the organizer. Each row 111, 112, 113 and each column 114, 115 and 11 have an enclosed space 130. The enclosed spaces 130 are sized to receive and hold an object. The sheet 110 and the enclosed spaces 130 may be made from the same or a different material. The sheet 110 and spaces 130 may have a pattern, color or style that complement each other as well as compliment the room where the organizer will be stored or used. Preferably, the material is a heat resistant material to afford the organizer the ability to store and support various objects with a hot temperature and also so that the organizer can help to keep the object at a desired temperature.

An object 600 such as a pot supported by the organizer 100 is shown in FIG. 7; however, any type of object desired to be organized or transported may be used with the organizer and stored in the enclosed spaces 130. The enclosed spaces 130 act as pockets and are pouches that can store objects. These objects may be related to the object 600 or can be any object desired. For example, if a user desires to transport a pot 600, they may have utensils, napkins or objects that may be used with the pot. The enclosed spaces 130 are made from a pocket sheet 140 of the material. The pocket sheet 140 has a pocket height 141 and a pocket length 142. The pocket length 142 is the same length as the sheet length 120. The pocket height 141 determines the depth of the pockets 130. Shorter pocket heights 141 means there is less depth in the pockets 130. Larger pocket heights 141 means there is more depth in the pockets 130. The pocket sheet 140 is positioned on the front of the sheet 110 and attached by the side edges 131 and 132 and the bottom edge 133 of the pocket sheet 140. The bottom edge 133 and side edges 131 and 132 form perpendicular angles. The pocket sheet 140 is sewn to the sheet 110. Additional known attachment methods may be used to secure the pocket sheet 140 to the sheet 110. The pocket sheet 140 is sewn along the pocket edges 131, 132, 133 forming seams 131 a, 132 a, 133 a. Seam 131 a is the stitching along the edge 131. Seam 132 a is the stitching along edge 132. Seam 133 a is the stitching along edge 133. Invisible thread may be used for the stitching or a colored thread may be used. The seams 131 a, 132 a, and 133 a act as dividers and divide the sheet into at least two rows and at least two columns.

The sheet 110 has a top edge 170 along the top of the sheet 110, a bottom edge 171 along the bottom of the sheet 110, and a first edge 173 and a second edge 172 along the left and right sides of the sheet, respectively. A top hanging member 180 and a bottom hanging member 181 is attached to the top edge 170 and a bottom edge 171, respectively. The hanging members 180, 181 are substantially centered along edges 170, 171. The hanging members 180, 181 act as handles when the organizer 100 is in a fully folded position, as shown in FIG. 8. When the top edge 170 and the bottom edge 171 are folded towards each other the top and bottom hanging members 180, 181 contact each other and form a handle. FIG. 8 illustrates an object 600 retained by the object retainer 800 with the organizer 100 in a fully folded position.

The first edge 173 has a first tie 175 attached. The second edge 172 comprises a second tie 176. The ties 175 and 176 are attached in the same location on the edges 171, 172. They may be permanent or semi-permanent and attached to the edges using Velcro, buttons, snaps or any known attachment mechanisms. Hanging member 180 forms a loop large enough to be hooked to a nail, pin or the like on a pantry or closet for example. Alternatively, the hanging member 180 is large enough to fit over a user's head and the ties 175 and 176 can be tied around the user's waste and connect to form a loop so that the organizer 100 can be worn. The user can easily retrieve the items stored in the pockets 130 when the device is worn or hanging.

FIG. 2 is a back view of the organizer 100 in an open position. When the organizer 100 is to be transported, the first edge 173 is folded along the first seam 132 a and the second edge 172 is folded along the second seam 132 b. Seams 132 a, 132 b are fold lines. Seam 132 a is on a pocket 130 on a left side of the organizer 100 and seam 132 b is on a pocket 130 on a right side of the organizer 100. A top retaining mechanism 200 is on a front side of the sheet 110 along the top edge 170. The top retaining mechanism 200 may be a strip of female Velcro that will connect to the bottom retaining mechanism 210 that may be a strip of male Velcro on the back of the sheet 110 along the bottom edge 171. A first side retaining mechanism 220 extending on the front of the sheet 110 along the first edge 173 of the sheet 110. A second side retaining mechanism 230 extends along the back side of the sheet 110 on the second edge 172 such that when the edges 173, 172 are folded towards each other, they retaining mechanisms 220, 230 mate.

Alternatively, the retaining mechanisms may be snaps or buttons or know attachments that will hold the first edge 173 and second edge 172 when folded and the top edge 170 and bottom edge 171 when folded towards each other. Additional pockets 130 may be on the back side of the organizer 100, if desired. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the organizer folded along the first and second seams 132 a, 132 b. The user can place an object 600 onto the front side of the sheet 110 and use the organizer to transport the object 600. The first edge 173 and second edge 172 are folded along seams 132 a and 132 b, respectively. Then, the top edge 170 and bottom edge 171 are folded towards each other as shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the organizer 100 folded along the seams 132 a, 132 b and illustrating the top edge 170 and bottom edge 171 folded. The device is fully folded and ready to be transported by the handles 180, 181 as shown in FIG. 4. The portions of the sheet 110 on the front side between seam 132 a and the first edge 173 and the portions of the sheet 110 on the front side between seam 132 b and the second edge 172 form a wall around the object 600 to prevent it from sliding out of the organizer 100. Also, the fold line made when the bottom edge 171 is brought towards the top edge 170 is folded along the side of the object and the handles are brought together to transport the object 600.

FIG. 5 illustrates the object retainer 800 on the front of the organizer 100. Buttons 810 are attached to the sheet 110 on the front side. The object retainer 800 features expandable bands 820 attached to the sheet 110 to secure the object 600 to the sheet 110 of material. The bands 820 are attached to the front of the sheet 110 are made of an elastic type material that allows the bands 820 to stretch. The bands 820 feature slits 821 that extend through the front and back of the band near the end of the band. The slits 821 act as button holes and attach to the buttons 810. An object is placed on the sheet between the bands and the bands are moved diagonally and button in the slit 821 that will make the band sit tightly on the top of the object. The bands 821 are adjustable by the slits being put in the button holes so that it can be tighter or looser on the object. When the bands are secured over the object and the bands are buttoned, the material can be folded, as discussed and the user can grasp the handles and transport the organizer. The bands 820 can be attached to the sheet and may extend from the first seam to the second seam. Alternatively, the bands may be positioned anywhere along the sheet 110 and the bands may be made longer or shorter to extend across a larger or smaller organizer. FIG. 6 illustrates an object retained by the object 600 retainer on the front of the organizer. The sheet 110 may also feature openings 900 on the front portion that houses the bands 820. The bands 820 may be secured in the openings 900 and brought out of the openings 900 by a force such as pulling, for example. When forced out of the opening 900, the band can be extended across the object and sheet and connected to the button 810.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. An organizer comprising: a sheet of material divided into at least two rows and at least two columns; wherein each row and each column has an enclosed space sized to receive an object; and an object retainer comprising expandable bands attached to the sheet to secure the object to the sheet of material.
 2. The organizer of claim 1 wherein the enclosed space further comprises a pocket sheet of the material, wherein seams along edges of the enclosed space form a pocket having a pocket height and a pocket length.
 3. The organizer of claim 2, wherein the height of the pocket sheet determines a depth of the pocket.
 4. The organizer of claim 2, wherein the seams are fold lines, wherein the sheet of material may be folded along the fold lines.
 5. The organizer of claim 1, wherein the sheet of material further comprises a first and second edge having a retaining mechanism, wherein the retaining mechanism attaches the first edge to the second edge.
 6. The organizer of claim 1, wherein the sheet of material further comprises a top edge and a bottom edge, wherein a top hanging member is attached to the top edge and a bottom hanging member is attached to a bottom edge.
 7. The organizer of claim 6, wherein the top edge and the bottom edge come together such that the top and bottom hanging members contact each other and form a handle.
 8. The organizer of claim 5, wherein a first edge further comprises a first tie and the second edge further comprises a second tie, wherein the ties are able to connect to form a loop.
 9. An organizer comprising: a sheet of material having a top edge, bottom edge, first edge and a second edge; wherein the sheet of material comprises enclosed spaces having a first seam and a second seam that divide the sheet into at least two rows and at least two columns; wherein the first edge is folded along the first seam and the second edge is folded along the second seam; wherein the top edge and the bottom edge are folded towards each other.
 10. The organizer of claim 9, wherein the enclosed space acts as a pocket.
 11. The organizer of claim 9, wherein the sheet of material is heat resistant.
 12. The organizer of claim 9 further comprising a top hanging member and a bottom hanging member on the top edge and bottom edge, respectively.
 13. The organizer of claim 12, wherein the top hanging member and bottom hanging member form a handle.
 14. The organizer of claim 9 further comprising an object retainer having adjustable bands attached to the sheet to secure an object to the sheet of material.
 15. The organizer of claim 9 further comprising retaining mechanisms to secure the top and bottom edges and first and second edges when folded.
 16. A portable organizer comprising: a sheet of material having a top edge, bottom edge, first edge and a second edge; wherein the sheet of material comprises pockets having a first seam and a second seam that divide the sheet into at least two rows and at least two columns; a top hanging member and a bottom hanging member on the top edge and bottom edge, respectively; an object retainer comprising bands attached to the sheet that extend from the first seam to the second seam.
 17. The portable organizer of claim 16 further comprises an opening on the sheet that houses the object retainer, wherein the object retainer is brought out of the opening to retain an object.
 18. The portable organizer of claim 16 further comprising a front portion of the sheet material, wherein the bands are positioned on the front portion. 